WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2004/97 by Francisca BENNASAR TOUS to the Commission. The European cultural heritage
Date: 1997-06-11
Institutions: BENNASAR TOUS, European Parliament
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, artistic creation, cultural heritage, heritage protection, work of art

C 76/66

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11. 3. 98

(98/C 76/151)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/97

by Francisca Bennasar Tous (PPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1997)

Subject: The European cultural heritage

Does the Commission consider that contemporary art is part of the cultural heritage of the European Union? In
what cultural or arts programmes is it included and what kind of measures are envisaged to preserve this aspect of
the heritage?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1997)

The process of incorporating works of contemporary art into the cultural heritage is constantly evolving, making
it difficult to define the line of demarcation between the two.

Without prejudice to the powers of the Member States to define the two areas, the Commission would inform the
Honourable Member that the Community programmes, in existence or being adopted, which could encompass
contemporary  art  are  the  programme  to  support  artistic  and  cultural  activities  having  a  European  dimension
(Kaleidoscope) (1) and the Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage (Raphael) (2), subject
however  to  the  objectives  and  definitions  laying  down  the  scope  of  the  two  programmes  (Article  2  of
Kaleidoscope and Articles 2 and 3 of Raphael).

With regard to the question of whether the future Raphael programme in general and the conservation measures it
provides  for  in  particular,  could  apply  to  contemporary  art,  the  Commission  feels  that  given  the  current
formulation of its proposal this vast field should not automatically be considered to be excluded from the scope
of the programme.

(1)  Decision 719/96/EC of 29 March 1996, OJ L 99, 20.4.1996.
(2)  COM(96) 333; OJ C 265, 12.9.1996.

(98/C 76/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2021/97

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(11 June 1997)

Subject: Continued Japanese cooperation in basic brain research

In the middle of April 1997 48 research grants and 160 two-year post-doctoral scholarships were granted for
1997 by the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), the Scientific Council of which is chaired by the French
Professor Pierre Chambon.

The  Board  of  Trustees  chaired  by  Dr  Kozo  Iizuka  announced  that  the  budget  for  1997  would  amount  to
$ 47 million, 80% of which would still be provided by Japan, whilst the United States and the European Union
would provide 10% each.

Aid  was  first  granted  in  1990  and  two  assessments  (ARA  and  PREST)  were  carried  out  recently.  Can  the
Commission  say  whether  it  agrees  with  the  positive  scientific  evaluation  given  by  these  assessments?
Furthermore, does the Commission consider that the same level of European participation should be maintained
in this non-profit-making organization, which is devoted to international cooperation in basic research into the
brain and biological functions?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 1997)

The European contribution to the Human frontier science programme (HFSP) is shared among those Member
States  participating  in  the  world  economic  summits.  The  Community  and  Switzerland  are  management
supporting parties. The Community contributes ECU 800 000, i.e. approximately 2% of the 47 million US dollars
budget for 1997.